The 16th report of the United Nations Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team has revealed a significant development in the fight against terrorism, with the arrest of Sultan Aziz Azam, the spokesperson and founder of the media wing of ISIS-K (Islamic State in Khorasan). According to the report, Azam was taken into custody on May 16, 2025, in a joint operation between Pakistani authorities and intelligence agencies.
The arrest is seen as a major blow to the organizational structure of ISIS-K, which has experienced a significant decline in its operational capacity following Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts. Several planned attacks have been foiled, and the number of fighters has decreased significantly.
The report states that Azam was arrested by Pakistan’s intelligence agency, and his capture has led to the suspension of ISIS-K’s media activities. Azam’s organization, Al-Za’am Foundation, was known for its recruitment and propaganda efforts.
The United Nations Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team’s report highlights the impact of these operations on ISIS-K’s operations, with key commanders and ideologues being neutralized. The arrest of Azam and senior leader Abu Yasser Al-Turki has significantly weakened the organization’s operational capacity.
The report also notes that the Voice of Khorasan, a prominent propaganda platform, has been suspended following these operations. Azam was previously a councilor in the Nangarhar provincial council.
In other news, the Dubai Police have issued a warning to the public to exercise caution due to the risk of sea-related hazards. The German government has announced plans to bring back 535 Afghan citizens who worked with the German military in Afghanistan before its withdrawal and are now facing threats from the Taliban government.
A student leader, Osman Hadi, who was injured in a shooting in Dhaka, Bangladesh, has passed away while receiving treatment in Singapore. The US administration has issued instructions to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services to expedite the process of revoking the citizenship of naturalized Americans who have been involved in violent crimes.
Additionally, a 48-year-old woman, Deepika Sharma, was found murdered in Ghaziabad, India, by her tenant couple. The police have arrested the suspects, Ajay Gupta and Akriti Gupta.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the US for its decision to sell arms to Taiwan, calling it a “dangerous step” that must be stopped immediately. The US administration has imposed strict sanctions on Afghan nationals following a shooting incident involving National Guard personnel.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has predicted that poverty will be eradicated in the future, and people will no longer need to worry about money. Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has filed a lawsuit against the Nobel Foundation.
The US has reaffirmed its commitment to Taiwan’s security by authorizing the sale of arms to the island. In a separate incident, an engineer in Uttar Pradesh, India, has been arrested for murdering his parents and dismembering their bodies before dumping them in a river.
The Dubai Police have also issued a warning to the public to exercise caution due to the risk of sea-related hazards.
